Canada is bringing back the visa requirements for Mexican travelers, as announced by the immigration minister this Thursday.
Quebec’s Immigration Concerns
This comes after the premier of Quebec has been pushing for a slow-down in immigration to manage resource pressures, and the U.S. has been pressing Canada to address illegal border crossings.
Curbing Asylum Claims
Immigration Minister Marc Miller noted that starting late Thursday, this measure aims to curb the ‘exponential growth in asylum claims’ from Mexican nationals.
17% of All Asylum Seekers
Miller highlighted that Mexico represents 17% of all asylum applications Canada receives globally, noting the majority from Mexico either get turned down, withdrawn, or are left uncompleted.
Mexico Unhappy
Despite Mexico’s unhappiness with the reinstated visa rules, Miller emphasized that Mexico remains a key ally. Importantly, Mexicans holding work or study permits are not subject to these visa requirements.
Broader Consequences
He explained that claims with little chance of success not only burden the asylum process but also the social support systems in place, leading to broader consequences.
Diplomatic Efforts
According to Miller, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has consistently brought this up with Mexico’s president, stressing that more efforts are needed to reduce these figures.
The 2016 Visa Decision
The visa requirement for Mexicans was dropped in late 2016 by Trudeau’s administration, which had been a point of contention between the two nations.
Surge in Asylum Applications
Data from the Immigration Department reveals a sharp increase in asylum applications from Mexico, surging from just 110 in 2015 to nearly 24,000 in the last year.
Quebec’s Billion-Dollar Request
Amidst this spike, Quebec is pressing the federal government for compensation, requesting 1 billion Canadian dollars ($740 million) to cover the expenses incurred by the influx of asylum-seekers.
Canada-U.S. Immigration Dynamics
Miller acknowledges the complexity added by Canada’s relationship with the U.S., noting a rise in claimants heading into the U.S. He admits these numbers are small compared to the challenges the U.S. faces at its southern border.
Rising Asylum Claims
“But they are significant, and they have increased dramatically in the last year or two,” Miller added. “And that’s something we have to manage as a partner with the U.S.”
Escaping Violence
Refugee service providers in Montreal have noted that Mexican families are escaping violence, insecurity, and unemployment in their homeland. Canada’s asylum policy is strict, offering refuge only to those who face dangers across their entire home country due to a lack of protection.
Mexico Voices Disappointment
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador voiced his disappointment over Canada’s decision to reintroduce visa requirements for Mexicans, suggesting that alternative solutions could have been explored.
Despite this setback, he assured that it wouldn’t sever ties with Canada, and his government would seek other ways forward.
Diplomatic Tensions
López Obrador mentioned he would convey ‘a small fraternal reproach’ to Trudeau but highlighted their maintained positive relationship. Yet, he noted the difficulty of attending the upcoming North American Leaders’ Summit in Quebec due to political campaigns in Mexico and the U.S.
Meanwhile, the Mexican Foreign Affairs ministry hinted at a possible reciprocal response to Canada’s move.
Quebec’s Breaking Point
In 2016, Ottawa lifted visa requirements to foster better ties with Mexico. However, this led to a significant influx of immigrants, placing Quebec under considerable strain, pushing its government to declare a ‘breaking point’.
From Hundreds to Thousands
Federal statistics show a staggering increase in asylum applications from Mexican nationals, skyrocketing from 260 to 23,995 between 2016 and 2023 — a jump of over 9,000%.
Financial Relief
In January, Premier Francois Legault highlighted the strain on services like education and housing. Legault has sought C$1bn from Ottawa to mitigate the impact of nearly 60,000 new asylum seekers in 2023, with an expected 65,000 more this year, about a quarter of whom are Mexican.
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